DOI: 10.3390/app16136323 ISSN: 2076-3417

Performance Analysis and Control Design Methods for Grid-Forming Photovoltaic Converters in Black-Start Scenarios

Yu-Min Hsin, Bo-Hao Zhou, Chun-Yu Lin, Cheng-Chien Kuo

With global demand for renewable energy increasing, the penetration of photovoltaic (PV) systems in power networks has risen significantly, introducing new challenges to microgrid stability. This study focuses on solar inverters using grid-forming (GFM) control, investigating their performance in black-start scenarios and in stabilizing microgrids with battery energy storage systems (BESSs). A MATLAB Simulink microgrid model integrating PV, BESS, and GFM inverters was developed to simulate scenarios including black start, load variation, grid synchronization, and power adjustment. Control techniques such as droop control, proportional–integral (PI) control, Clarke and Park transformations, and phase-locked loops (PLLs) were applied for precise regulation of voltage, frequency, and power. Results show that GFM inverters effectively stabilize voltage and frequency during load changes and PV grid connection, maintaining voltage between 0.96–1.003 p.u. and frequency within 59.87–60.07 Hz. The findings confirm the feasibility of GFM control for coordinated PV–BESS operation and support stable microgrid operation under high renewable penetration.

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